One of the key features of the Apple Watch Series 4 is how in addition to being able to measure your heart rate, a feature that has been around since the first iteration, it also comes with an ECG feature that basically takes heart measurements to more advanced levels than just how fast your heart is beating.
Now we’re sure some are wondering how Apple managed to the feature approved by the FDA, and it turns out that Apple’s heart rate study with Stanford could have been what helped Apple cinch FDA approval, according to a report from Quartz who says that the FDA documents revealed that the regulatory body used data from Apple’s heart rate study to grant the company clearances.
That being said, it should already be obvious that the ECG feature on the Apple Watch Series 4 is not meant to replace a doctor or act as a substitute for professional medical equipment, but the fact that it exists on your wrist means that it is more accessible, and at the very least will help provide users with some basic information that they can then take to their doctors.
It should also be noted that the ECG feature will not be available at launch. It is unclear why that is (perhaps pending more regulatory approval or tweaking), but Apple expects that it should be ready later this year, just not at launch.
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